Marshrutka

Marschrutka (Cyrillic Маршрутка, fem, plural Marschrutki, Germanized also Marschrutkas ) is the Russian name for minibus - taxis, which operate in many former Soviet republics, such as Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and Georgia. Its official name is Marschrutnoje taksi, literally " route taxi ". From this long form, the now officially conventional short form developed. In more from the Russian as a former official language emancipating states like Georgia the term minibus is in use.

The term is derived from the German word Marschrutka roadmap. This compound, in turn, comes from the French, both march and directions are in English loanwords.

Concept

Marschrutki are mostly privately operated taxis in regular service, which carry their own line numbers and complement public transport. They are especially on longer distances faster than the classical local transport - because of this advantage but often fully occupied shortly after departure. Then keep only where passengers want to get off and therefore seats will be free. The passenger has to give the driver decision by acclamation where he wants to get out. Standing room tickets are often, but not always offered.

Pros and Cons

The biggest advantage of Marschrutki is - at least in the places where it is not regulated - that they can be stopped by any point on the roadside without the passengers previously need to see a stop, and that they also serve the most remote places and tourist attractions. In return, they are considered to be prone to accidents because Marschrutki not all bus lanes still use the bus bays. You keep on waving instead of a potential passenger - unexpectedly for subsequent individual traffic participants - on the roadside at. In addition, the drivers often fall on by western European standards and very risky for pedestrians and private cars reckless driving.

Tariff

The transportation fee - usually slightly higher than in a bus, a trolley bus or tram - you pay within the city immediately, with overland travel until the exit. A general rule for payment change date and time does not exist. The fare must unmount in Russia, other CIS countries are sometimes found it on a piece of paper at one of the windows, some of the fare must be requested from the driver. It is usual to have counted unsolicited and match the fare in full Marschrutki by rich on other passengers forward to the already departing driver. Elsewhere, for example in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, it is customary to pay the fare when exiting. Tickets will not be issued.

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the licenses are awarded to private entrepreneurs. By per bus license granted competition for passengers and is thus promoted revenue between the various drivers on a line.

Rolling stock

Daimler AG subsidiary EvoBus Russia has taken in January 2005 in the Russian Kolomna 's production of " Mercedes- Marschrutki ". For the full year 2005 200 bis 240 vehicles were planned for the following years an increase to up to 500 per year was planned. Imported vehicles of this class cost around 55,000 euros, which assembled in Russia " Mercedes- Marschrutka " 45,000 euros.

Buy for 15,000 euros converted Marschrutki licensees the first produced in Nizhny Novgorod, reminiscent of a Ford Transit minibus Gazel ( GAZ- 32213 and related ) with two- liter petrol engine of the car Volga and up to 15 seats. Therefore, in many cities of Russia is this guy a widespread Marschrutka, as well as second-hand minibus imports from Germany and the European Union. In Georgian inland outweigh cars Ford Transit, which also unpaved roads and the hill country are busy. In Tbilisi uniform newer Ford drive the 5th and 6th generation transit.

The licenses will be awarded for larger buses, so Higer Bus, Isuzu Bogdan, Hyundai County and PAS - buses are not infrequently used vehicles in many cities of Russia. They have 20 to 30 seats. Often new Ford Transit Euro Line be used as Marschrutka that offer up to 17 passengers. Gazel corresponds to the Russian spelling the word for gazelle. This name is now used because of the large spread in some places for Marschrutki any type. In the Asian part of Russia also like Korean ( rare Japanese ) minibuses are used as Ssangyong. In Ukraine, some rebuilt cars drive held by the Deutsche Post.

• Traffic (Russia)
• Taxi